Plant City Times &
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Custom-built home tops monthly sales.
OUR TOWN + Times & Observer to change pub date Beginning next week, the Plant City Times & Observer will be delivered weekly on Fridays, instead of Thursdays. As always, the newspaper will be packed with hyperlocal content relevant to residents and businesses of Greater Plant City. If you have any questions, please contact Editor Michael Eng, meng@ plantcityobserver.com or (813) 704-6850.
FREE • THURSDAY, JULY 17, 2014
Dazzling duo Plant City coach set to star in opens competitive ‘Legally Blonde.’ cheer gymnasium.
governance by Michael Eng | Editor
Search for city manager yields candidates, mixed reactions City commissioners directed the search firm to keep the application process open as they prepare to interview finalists by phone or Skype. Earlier this week, Plant City commissioners received a 450page binder stuffed with portfolios from 76 candidates from throughout the country for the vacant city manager position. But, with differing opinions
on the results, ultimately, commissioners opted to keep the application process open as they search for Plant City’s next leader. Mercer Group Senior Vice President W.D. Higginbotham
Jr. was set to present the candidates — and his nine selected finalists — to the commissioners during a special workshop July 14. But, even before Higginbotham took the podium, City Commissioner Mike Sparkman
WEDDING BELLS by Amber Jurgensen | Associate Editor
made his opinion of the results clear. “I was completely disgusted,” he said. “I think this is trash; it’s junk. This is a waste of my time. This meeting tonight is a waste of my time. ... We need to
go forth and look at the rest of them. We have accomplished nothing — absolutely, positively nothing.” Higginbotham told commissioners candidates came from a nationwide search that included organizations such as the International City/County
SEE SEARCH / PAGE 5
WORST TO FIRST by Michael Eng | Editor
Bailey Elementary posts Hillsborough’s best FCAT gains
+ P.C. traveler treks across U.S.
The Dover school earned an A grade in 2014 — up three letter grades from the D it received just one year ago.
Plant City native and novelist Morgan Davis has been traveling the East Coast of the United States, with plans to head west. To help him continue his trek he has started “Bartering with Books.” Davis is the author of a trilogy series, “Prescribed Life,” he wrote while working at the skate park in Plant City. He’s been trading copies of his book to people willing to send supplies to him as he’s traveling. If you’d like a copy of Davis’ book in exchange for a bit of good will, visit prescribedlife.com.
The week Principal Russell Wallace took the helm at Bailey Elementary School one year ago, the state released the school Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test letter grades for the 2012-13 school year. That year, Bailey received a D. And Wallace knew it should have been an F, except the state instituted a safety net that prevented any school from dropping more than one letter grade. Wallace took the evaluation
BY THE NUMBERS
For a chart analyzing all Plant City schools’ results, see page 4.
and challenged his faculty and students to do the unthinkable — from worst to first — in just one year. “I was a stranger on campus,” Wallace said. “I’m sure they
SEE FCAT / PAGE 4
high note by Amber Jurgensen | Associate Editor
Plant City High, Marshall welcome music directors + Deputy chief to retire from PCFR Plant City Fire Rescue announced recently the retirement of Dep. Chief Eugene Shuler, who is retiring after 14 years of service to the department and community. His retirement begins Aug. 1. The department will host an informal gettogether from 2 to 3 p.m. Thursday, July 31, at Fire Station No. 1, 604 E. Alexander St.
, 3&
This week’s winner is
Denise Williamson See her photo on PAGE 15.
Photo by Stephanie Humphrey | Stephanie Humphrey Photography
“MasterChef” winner Whitney Miller and Plant City native Ryan Humphrey are planning a March 2015 wedding.
Love at First Bite Hometown boy Ryan Humphrey popped the question to the season 1 winner of ‘MasterChef,’ Whitney Miller, July 4.
R
yan Humphrey just expected to get a good meal at this year’s United Food Bank of Plant City fundraiser dinner. But what the 26-year-old got was a little more life-changing than a satisfied appetite. The February banquet was hosted by “MasterChef” celebrity Whitney Miller for a second-consecutive year. The talented culinary artist won the first season of the popular cooking show in 2010. The now 27-year-old hosted a demon-
Jay DeDon and Nathan Drawdy both are excited to return to the community.
will take over as Plant City High School’s choir director. Both are graduates of Stetson University and excited to lead their respective programs.
Although summer usually is a time for rest and relaxation for students and teachers, the new school year already has begun for Plant City’s newest music directors. Jay DeDon will take over as Marshall Middle School’s band director, and Nathan Drawdy
Jay DeDon wanted to play the clarinet at first — just like his older sister, Sophia. But, when he tested it out in front of his middle school band teacher, he couldn’t play it. Plan B was the saxophone.
JAY DEDON
SEE MUSIC / PAGE 4
stration and helped plan the meal for the evening at the fundraiser. When Ryan’s mother, Stephanie, showed him Miller’s picture before the event, she caught his eye. It became a running joke between Stephanie and event organizer Brian West. But, they soon hatched a plan to introduce the chiropractor to the chef. Stephanie bought her son a ticket to
SEE LOVE / PAGE 4 Jay DeDon’s passion is working with children.
INDEX Calendar.......................2
Courtesy photo
Vol. 1, No. 50 | One section Crossword...................15
Obituaries...................10
Real Estate ...................8
Sports.........................11
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